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More than 200 people learn CPR

As the Bee Gees’ song Stayin’ Alive played in the Somers municipal building Feb. 16, it took on a special meaning for the 208 people taking part in the 17-hour marathon CPR training event organized by Dibbs17.

The event was part of the Dibbs17 challenge to train 1700 people in a year. Dibbs17 is named for David Dibble, whose jersey number is 17. He collapsed on the baseball field last summer and owes his life to a coach who performed CPR on him.

Connie Schneider, co-organizer of the event, is Dibble’s aunt.

Lexi Kevan, 12, of Kenosha, gets ready to relieve her mom, Firefighter EMT Victoria Schonscheck as they take part in the 17-hour CPR event at the village hall. Source: Village of Somers

“I want make sure we pay it forward,” she said. “And have people learn CPR.”

While CPR includes breathing for a patient, only compressions were taught at the event. According to Schneider, some people are afraid of doing breaths, but doing chest compression only can increase a patient’s outcome tremendously.

Lexi Kevan, 12, of Kenosha, performs hands-only CPR on a dummy. Source: Village of Somers

“We don't want to stop people from doing CPR because of the breath,” she said.

The event was also a fundraiser for the purchase of a Lucas device for the Somers Fire Dept. The machine allows compressions to be performed even when a patient is being moved or sitting in an upright position, which is not possible performing CPR manually. About $2,000 were raised at the event. To donate, you can go to the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/somers-fire-amp-rescue-association-lucas-device